21 June 2026

The Executive's failure to agree a Budget could cut public spending by almost £1bn, resulting in fewer nurses, teachers and police officers as well as brutal cuts to infrastructure investment, SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA has said.

The figures are contained in new Opposition new research on the cost of the Executive’s Budget chaos, in which they are imposing cuts on their own funding by refusing to agree a Budget.

He was speaking as the SDLP uses its Opposition time on Monday to press the Executive on the absence of a Budget and the huge impact it is already having on public services.

If a Budget has not been agreed by 1 August, departments will be unable to spend more than 95% of the previous year's total allocation.

SDLP research based on official figures suggest reduced spending envelopes could mean:

• 1,100 fewer nurses being employed across the health service.
• 800 fewer teachers being employed in our schools.
• 450 fewer police officers serving our communities.
• Delayed wastewater upgrades needed to unlock the delivery of at least 5,000 homes across Northern Ireland.
• Around 500 fewer social homes being delivered.
• Delayed major maintenance and improvement projects at around 50 schools
• Huge cuts to university research funding

Matthew O'Toole MLA said:

“For months the Executive and the Finance Minister have refused to acknowledge the consequences of failing to agree a Budget. John O’Dowd chaotically published a Budget that was not agreed and has now disowned it. Though we support any efforts to secure more finance from the British Government, Westminster is itself in chaos and there is no sign of any real progress on agreeing a new settlement – public services cannot be a bargaining chip.

“Whatever claims the Finance Minister may make, this Budget chaos will have consequences. The Executive will be imposing a bigger cut on its own Budget than any British Government ever has. As Opposition research sets out today, could mean fewer nurses, fewer teachers and fewer police officers at a time when our public services are already struggling to meet demand. It could delay the delivery of new homes and hold back vital investment in schools and infrastructure.

“We cannot allow this to drift into the summer and for this deadline to come and go. If the Executive fails to agree a Budget before 1 August, the consequences will be felt across Northern Ireland. We need to see the Executive take responsibility for the looming crisis that also has the potential to impact welfare payments and pensions. 

“This chaos has a cost and the Executive must take responsibility for it.”